Fill your bowl for United Way

November 18, 2013

Itâ€™s lucky number seven for the annual Empty Bowls event.
United Way of Big Spring and Howard County is gearing up for the annual event, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday at the Dora Roberts Community Center.

This year, the event is being sponsored by the Howard College Art Department, the Big Spring High School Art Department and H-E-B.
Empty Bowls was started in Big Spring by Pastor Ken McIntosh as a way to not only support the local United Way, but to draw attention to the ever-growing problem of hunger throughout the nation. The ceramic bowls, created by community members, that will be used at the event represent the thousands of bowls that are left empty around the world.

Ceramics workshops are held each year by both Big Spring High School and Howard College art departments. Participants pay a nominal fee to attend and each create a bowl in their own individual style.
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the United Way office, located at 215 W. Third, for $20 per person. With each ticket purchase is the opportunity to take home a one-of-a-kind bowl, created by community members.

â€śThere are no two bowls alike and each one has a uniqueness all their own,â€ť said Professor Stacy Slaten, head of the Howard College Art Department. â€śItâ€™s fun to see all the different designs that people create and the best part is that you get to take one of the bowls home as a reminder of your good deed.â€ť

This year, there will be lots of gourmet soups to choose from during Empty Bowls. Some of the former chefs will be returning, along with a few new faces.
Also, there will be a silent auction and a live auction on a select group of bowls. In addition, the painting â€śKitchen Help,â€ť by Kay Smith will be auctioned.

Everyone is encouraged to get their tickets early due to limited availability. â€śWe have more than 200 beautiful bowls to choose from and of course lots of delicious soups to sample,â€ť said Slaten. â€śItâ€™s all you can eat and the best part is youâ€™re helping people in need.â€ť
Tickets can be purchased at the United Way office, check for availability at 267-5201 as United Way officials said this morning there are a limited number still available.